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The Bad Weather Friend
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Stand Alone Novels 2021 & Beyond > The Bad Weather Friend (Group Read Feb/Mar/Apr 2024)

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Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
The Bad Weather Friend will be released on February 1.
Please feel welcome to discuss the new book in this thread, using spoiler alerts where appropriate.

From a recent Los Angeles Times interview with Dean Koontz:
“I cross genres kind of continually,” Koontz said with a laugh. “I got a lot of resistance to that in the early days. But gradually the business has come around… This is closer to a fantasy novel than almost anything else because I don't explain The Bad Weather Friend. He exists as much as fairies do.”


Jerry (jazzlsnr) | 55 comments Just finished it last nite! Prime members can get Kindle version FREE during the month of January. I’ll wait to join the rest to discuss


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Diane Lynch (dianedesmarrstlynch) | 486 comments I have to check kindle now!


Vonda (vondamikesell) | 50 comments I'm absolutely thrilled with the characters in Bad Weather Friend and think the story is completely different from what I might have expected. This highly entertaining book was the best I have read ever. Unforgettable.


Kurt R (spectre1966) | 1 comments I liked it….had an Odd Thomas vibe to it. Hope to see more of Spike in the future.


Jerry (jazzlsnr) | 55 comments I also sensed a bit of Life Expectancy within the story. The humor and the 4th dimensional conversation is what nailed it for me.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
Jerry wrote: "I also sensed a bit of Life Expectancy within the story. The humor and the 4th dimensional conversation is what nailed it for me."

The Bad Weather Friend sounds exactly like the kind of Dean Koontz story I love. Life Expectancy is my #1 favorite Koontz book, so that's a good sign.
I'm old school - I plan to purchase a printed copy and audio cd this weekend. Will have to catch up with all you early e-book readers within the next month.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
I now have a copy. Will start reading soon.


Matthew | 183 comments I have my hardcover copy and plan to read once I'm done with either The Black Echo or The Woman in the Window. Two books simultaneously is my limit. Am too afraid to try three. Heh


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
I'm currently reading The Bad Weather Friend. Too early to know how much I'm going to like this one. Well, I definitely can say I like it better than After Death.


Charissa Wilkinson (lilmizflashythang) | 271 comments Sounds interesting.


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
After last Summer's release (After Death), The Bad Weather Friend is a welcome, fun, silly, unexpected story.


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Darlene | 11 comments Just barely in and I really like a bit where Dean tells me it's all going to be okay, not to worry. It's like he wrote this just to me!


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
I'm seeing connections to several other Dean Koontz works in the story of The Bad Weather Friend. Most obvious is Odd Thomas, but also Frankenstein, Relentless, and The Good Guy. I am two-thirds of the way through the book now.


Kaye  | 22 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "After last Summer's release (After Death), The Bad Weather Friend is a welcome, fun, silly, unexpected story."

I agree, Dustin! I finished it a week ago, and its lingering, upbeat aura is with me still. All that and suspense and danger as well. Here's to realistic silliness.


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Dave | 1 comments As much as I like Odd Thomas and I'm sure i'll like Bad Weather Friend, a part of me wishes DK would write another epic tale like Strangers. Something that one could really sink their teeth into. OT and BWF are great, but both are popcorn. And really sinking your teeth into popcorn is never a good idea hehe.


Vonda (vondamikesell) | 50 comments I must defend DK; he writes what he feels as an author. And considering where he is in life (when) I am thankful he still writes. Even the 'popcorn'.


Matthew | 183 comments I finished Bad Weather Friend a few days ago and must say I very much enjoyed it. Of the books he's written since he changed publishers starting with Devoted, this is one of my favorites. I especially liked the dialogue of the preteen kids in the flashback scenes--some of Koontz's more enjoyable child dialogue and pretty funny. I think my favorite of the books Koontz has published under the Thomas and Mercer imprint (which is really Amazon heh) I'd sat Big Dark Sky is my fav but this one's pretty good.


Barbara | 486 comments I really liked this book. Laugh out loud funny and creepy!! 2 stories in 1 book impressive too!! I always say if Dean writes it I’m reading it! That being said…I do miss his longer meatier stories.


Vonda (vondamikesell) | 50 comments I, too, am entertained by any thing DK writes. Have you been reading his email updates? Very funny. From the Desk of Dean Koontz!


Barbara | 486 comments Yes I get his emails…..always funny!!


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C.P. Cabaniss (cpcabaniss) | 55 comments I just finished this yesterday and it might be my favorite of his more recent releases.


Matthew | 183 comments Here's a question for the class....who is the narrator for this story?? I think i figured on basically the last page and, weirdly, it's NOT Benny himself.


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C.P. Cabaniss (cpcabaniss) | 55 comments You know, I didn't put much thought into who the narrator was. I knew it wasn't Benny, but didn't try to figure out who it was as I typically don't.


Vonda (vondamikesell) | 50 comments C.P. and Barbara probably The Desk!!


Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 6121 comments Mod
From the Desk of Dean Koontz
Dear Readers,

Last month, Mr. K’s desk asserted its authority and wrote the newsletter, which is Desk’s right because, after all, this publication is titled “From the Desk of Dean Koontz.” As Mr. K’s office chair—fondly referred to by everyone here as “O.C.”—I admit to some jealousy that Desk could address all of you, while I was denied a voice. Happily, Desk is a fair-minded individual, and I have been asked to write this month’s installment.

I am a highly functional yet attractive chair designed and produced by Mr. Herman Miller, whom I have never met. I remember the factory where I first became self-aware, the weeks waiting in inventory for someone to want me, the envy I felt when another chair was shrink-wrapped and sent into the world to serve and comfort the company or family who adopted it. I won’t dwell on that period of great sadness, because I have since then had years of happiness with Mr. K, in spite of his many foibles, strange habits, and amusing idiocies.

I have five elegantly formed legs, each of which ends in a wheel that can pivot 360 degrees with supernatural smoothness. My seat also can swivel 360 degrees. This capability delights Mr. K. On those days when his writing is not going well, he often takes a break to spin in me as if I am a carnival ride. Sometimes he spins so long that he becomes nauseous and regurgitates, though he has always had the grace not to vomit on me.

My adjustable spring allows precisely the degree of back support that is desired, which pretty much depends on Mr. K’s sobriety or lack thereof. I’m fully upholstered in leather of the highest quality. I am at all times naked, as no one makes clothes for chairs, and I like nothing better than to be wiped firmly but lovingly with a soft cloth that has been well moistened with a cleaning cream. I must admit that I also take an almost wicked pleasure in having a drop of lubricant applied to each of my five wheels.

Although there are many, many stories I could recount about Mr. K’s often peculiar behavior, this is not a cheesy tell-all. Every piece of furniture here in the home office has great respect and affection for Mr. K in spite of everything he’s done. However, I do wish that, at the end of the day, he wouldn’t leave Desk as cluttered as he often does and would tuck me into the cozy knee space where I belong at night. Too often, when he turns off HP (the computer), he spins away from Desk, springs off my seat, and leaves me to roll willy-nilly to a stop, where I am left isolate and vulnerable, far from the knee space and frequently facing in an unpleasant direction. Ah, well, it’s the fate of furniture to be perceived as unaware of all offenses.

I would not be the high-quality chair that I am if I failed to tell you that Mr. K’s recent book, The Bad Weather Friend, is available in hardcover, eBook, and audio. It is a delightful and compelling story that nearly everyone loves. Indeed, the only naysayer is Waste Can, who is a pessimistic and sour-tempered individual who doesn’t like anyone or anything.

Warmest regards from everyone here in Koontzland,

O.C. and Friends


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K.L. Phelps (kl_phelps) | 72 comments got this day 1 but am only now reading it...dear lord I'm halfway through and I can't remember ever laughing so much while reading one of Dean's books. I love these characters!


Barbara | 486 comments It is very funny.


Charissa Wilkinson (lilmizflashythang) | 271 comments Momma and I'll be starting this one tonight.


Charissa Wilkinson (lilmizflashythang) | 271 comments This one was fun. But, I enjoy Mr. Koontz's sense of humor.


Vonda (vondamikesell) | 50 comments DK has a great sense of humor 🥰


Jessica Compre | 2 comments I loved the is book. It was different. Took me awhile to finish bcos I’m reading other books plus I have this on my kindle.


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